Good Drink: Why beverage alcohol producers enter competitions

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It’s coming up to competition season so I will be heading out to judge national wine and beer versions, and later this fall I’ll likely judge Canadian spirits at home again. There are many good reasons for our local producers to enter these: 1) to get expert feedback on your products, 2) to benchmark against your competition, 3) to win medals to use in expanding your market, and 4) to get your products in the mouths of key industry influencers.

There is some controversy over competition medals, partly because some folks are just skeptics, but mainly because there are so many different medals on packages at the ANBL that it can get confusing.

The skeptics think that professional judges are often not very accurate, or put personal preferences ahead of the actual quality of a given beverage. Properly trained judges are not guilty of either of those. Even if a particular beer style isn’t a favourite, we can still evaluate which ones are the best example of the style.

As for all the medals from different competitions all over the world, I think you need to find the ones you trust. I trust both national Canadian wine judgings (National Wine Awards of Canada, All Canadian Wine Championships), both of the beer versions (Canada Beer Cup and Canadian Brewing Awards), and the Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition and Canadian Whisky Awards. That’s because I know who runs them, the systems they use, and I also know many of the judges, besides myself. I also trust the Decanter Wine Awards.  I don’t know much about most of the others, but it has long been an opinion of wine writer friends of mine that some of the Australian ones are bogos.  Some competitions give out medals and high scores way too easily, while others are stingy.

You need to get to know the ones that work for you.

Here are some award winning N.B. beverages I trust time after time:

5. Winegarden Estate Johnny Ziegler Brandy, Baie Vert, NB  $36.50,  PC  625974019973

They’ve been making this the Apple based, oak aged  brandy pretty much the same way for years and the consistency is impressive. 

Sommelier’s Tip: I love it as an after dinner sipper or in a Side Car cocktail

4. Foghorn Golden Grover English Pale Ale, Rothesay, NB, $13.99/6 pack of small cans

An English pale ale, which would be called a bitter on tap in England, even if it isn’t particularly bitter. It is malt forward with balancing earthy hops.

3.  Magnetic Hill Osceola By The Sea, white wine blend, NB, $20. PC  619011953108

Sommelier’s Tip:  Great with sushi and spicy shrimp. 

2. Motts Landing Brut, NB, $26.49, PC 400008164146

Great traditional method bubble made right in N.B. at Lower Cambridge Narrows. 

Sommelier’s Tip:  Chill well and use to get the party started!

1. Grimross Grimdonk strong Belgian ale, $4.97/473 ml can,   PC 871935000317

Very authentic Belgain Abbey Style ale, spicy and fruity and yummy.

Sommelier’s Tip:  Excellent with stewed meals like coq au biere.

Cheers!
Craig

Craig Pinhey is a Sommelier and freelance writer. Check out his FB page: www.facebook.com/craig.pinhey or follow on Twitter @frogspadca or Instagram @brufrog